SEATTLE — April 2, 2026 — Below are summaries of recent Fred Hutch Cancer Center research findings, patient stories and other news.
April is the awareness month for esophageal, head and neck and testicular cancers. To speak to our experts, reach out to media@fredhutch.org.
The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)’s Annual Meeting 2026 takes place in San Diego, Calif. from April 17-22. If you’re interested in speaking to an expert, contact Claire Hudson at crhudson@fredhutch.org.
Cancer research
Fred Hutch researchers test privacy-first AI platform for cancer research
The Cancer AI Alliance (CAIA) — a collaboration with Fred Hutch, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Johns Hopkins University — is testing whether a collaborative AI research platform can accelerate the pace of cancer research leading to faster diagnoses and more precise, targeted therapies (especially for rare types of cancers) while safeguarding patient privacy. Two projects led by Fred Hutch researchers are examining AI tools to help prevent common skeletal problems caused by the spread of advanced cancers to bones and to make predictions about non-small cell lung cancer.
Media contact: Molly McElroy, mwmcelro@fredhutch.org
Study sheds light on how translation start-site selection can go awry in cancer and other diseases
Christopher Lapointe, PhD, and his team developed a lab technique to observe how proteins help ribosomes decide where to start translating strands of messenger RNA in real time. Published in Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, the study advances our knowledge of our cellular mechanisms and how they can lead to cancer and other diseases.
Media contact: Molly McElroy, mwmcelro@fredhutch.org
Infectious disease research
How Fred Hutch scientists tackle world’s top infectious killer, TB
Vaccine and immunology experts including Paul Edlefsen, PhD, Adrienne Shapiro, MD, PhD, Jim Kublin, MD, MPH, Andrew Fiore-Gartland, PhD, and Erica Andersen-Nissen, PhD, discuss the history and challenges of preventing and treating tuberculosis (TB), one of the world’s earliest and deadliest infectious diseases. After decades of tireless work and innovation around the world, our experts say we are closer than ever to developing a vaccine.
Media contact: Claire Hudson, crhudson@fredhutch.org
Health and wellness
What’s the psychology behind using dietary supplements?
In a new episode of the From Bench to Bedside and Beyond podcast, Jonathan Bricker, PhD, discusses the psychological reasons that some individuals turn to supplements for cancer prevention, and why some go against science-based cancer prevention methods like vaccines.
Media contact: Kat Wynn, kwynn@fredhutch.org
Rare cancers
Fred Hutch collaboration reveals molecular vulnerability in rare childhood brain cancer
Researchers from the labs of Taran Gujral, PhD, and Eric Holland, MD, PhD, have uncovered a weak link in tumors that are driven by a notorious gene fusion called ZFTA-RELA. Recent studies published in the journals PNAS and Neuro-Oncology examined the biology of rare pediatric ependymoma tumors and revealed a vulnerability in ZFTA-RELA fusions that could be targeted with drugs. Holland holds the Pigott Family Endowed Chair.
Media contact: Molly McElroy, mwmcelro@fredhutch.org
Fred Hutch brings together rare cancer community
TRACER, Fred Hutch’s Transformative Rare Cancer Initiative, led by Taran Gujral, PhD, recently hosted an event featuring rare cancer patients, caregivers and health care providers. The initiative aims to encourage collaboration in the rare cancer community, build patient biobanks and create tools that could lead to additional therapies. The program is currently using tumor data to build an interactive web tool that will be accessible to the entire rare cancer community. Rare cancers represent almost a third of all cancers diagnosed.
Media contact: Molly McElroy, mwmcelro@fredhutch.org
Clinical care
Oncology Insights with Dr. Petros Grivas – Episode 9
In this episode of Oncology Insights, host Petros Grivas, MD, PhD, and oncologist Christina Baik, MD, MPH, discuss lung cancer immunotherapy. Their conversation highlights the importance of patient-centered care and collaboration for advancing cancer treatment.
Media contact: Heather Platisha, hplatisha@fredhutch.org
Oncology Insights with Dr. Petros Grivas – Episode 10
In this episode of the Oncology Insights podcast, Petros Grivas, MD, PhD discusses immunotherapy advances at Fred Hutch with Mazyar Shadman, MD, MPH, medical director of cellular immunotherapy and deputy chief medical officer. They also discuss the future of cancer treatment and the importance of teamwork in oncology. Shadman holds the Innovators Network Endowed Chair.
Media contact: Molly McElroy, mwmcelro@fredhutch.org
Robotic surgery ensures kidney cancer patient can continue with his cycling tour of Croatia
In this episode of the From Bench to Bedside and Beyond podcast, genitourinary cancer expert Yaw Nyame, MD, MS, and his patient Dave Lucas describe the use of a robotic surgical approach as part of Lucas’s kidney cancer treatment. The minimally invasive technique allowed for quicker recovery, making it possible for Lucas to return to cycling sooner. Nyame and Lucas also emphasized the value of customizing cancer care to meet a patient’s goals.
Media contact: Heather Platisha, hplatisha@fredhutch.org
Can you get a cancer screening without insurance?
Fred Hutch experts including community health educators, patient navigators and others share advice on how people in Washington state can still get preventive screening for cancer even when they don’t have health insurance.
Media contact: Kat Wynn, kwynn@fredhutch.org
Awards and recognition
Dr. Lisa Tachiki named Kuni Foundation 2025 Cancer Research Fellow
Lisa Tachiki, MD, was named a 2025 Cancer Research Fellow by the Kuni Foundation, which includes a two-year $300,000 award. Tachiki is working to make immune checkpoint inhibitors, an immunotherapy that helps the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells, more accessible by administering lower doses less often. This work is part of a Phase 2 clinical trial with Shailender Bhatia, MD. The approach has the potential to both reduce costs and side effects.
Media contact: Heather Platisha, hplatisha@fredhutch.org
Fred Hutch hematologists featured at 2026 Tandem Meetings
Fred Hutch hematologists presented on a range of topics at the 2026 Tandem Meetings from the American Society of Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (ASTCT) and the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR). Presentations included mitigating stem cell transplant risks for people with risk factors like obesity and examining the way preparative treatments for bone marrow transplantation can change gene expression in stem cells.
Media contact: Molly McElroy, mwmcelro@fredhutch.org
Science spotlight
Science Spotlight is a monthly installment of articles written by postdoctoral fellows that summarize new research papers from Fred Hutch scientists. If you’re interested in learning more or covering these topics, contact media@fredhutch.org.
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Fred Hutch Cancer Center Fred Hutch Cancer Center unites individualized care and advanced research to provide the latest cancer treatment options while accelerating discoveries that prevent, treat and cure cancer and infectious diseases worldwide.
Based in Seattle, Fred Hutch is an independent, nonprofit organization and the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in Washington. We have earned a global reputation for our track record of discoveries in cancer, infectious disease and basic research, including important advances in bone marrow transplantation, immunotherapy, HIV/AIDS prevention and COVID-19 vaccines. Fred Hutch operates eight clinical care sites that provide medical oncology, infusion, radiation, proton therapy and related services. Fred Hutch also serves as UW Medicine’s cancer program.
